ThePrint Opinion: Putin's India visit: What Chinese are saying about the Russia-India summit
Dec 4, 2025
Dissecting Vladimir Putin's upcoming visit to India, the discussion highlights Chinese perceptions and anxieties about the summit. It reveals how Chinese commentators see the visit as crucial yet transactional, centered on energy and military ties. Weibo reactions reflect worries over potential Russian arms sales, particularly advanced weapon systems. The podcast also emphasizes India's strategic balancing act between global powers and its quest for autonomy amidst rising geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific.
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Visit Framed As High-Stakes Transaction
- Chinese online commentators view Putin's India visit as high-stakes centered on energy, weapons and nuclear cooperation.
- They see it as transactional and significant amid Russia's financial strain from Western sanctions.
India Helps Russia Offset Sanctions
- Beijing sees India's role as a reliable partner to help Russia sustain arms exports and earn revenue amid sanctions.
- China interprets the partnership as helping Moscow withstand Western pressure and project influence in Asia-Pacific.
Weapons Deals Could Shift Regional Balance
- Chinese commentators worry India-Russia weapons deals could disrupt the China–Pakistan defense nexus.
- Major systems like Su-57, S-500 and hypersonic missiles are seen as shifting regional military balance toward India.